One wheel to fit them all
Many modern vehicles don’t carry a spare wheel. Instead, they’re equipped with a tyre mobility kit.
The kit includes a small compressor that pumps air and liquid sealant into the damaged tyre to temporarily seal the puncture and reinflate the tyre.
However, if a puncture is too big or the tyre side wall is damaged, these kits are of little use and the vehicle can’t be driven.
To help in this situation, RAA Road Service is currently undertaking a metro-area trial of a multi-fit wheel that can be used on most vehicles.
RAA Manager Approved Repairers and Future Technology Simon Halford says RAA purchased four multi-fit wheel kits from the UK.
“We’ve been in discussions with the AA in the United Kingdom, who’ve been using these kits for several years, and we’re now excited to trial them here in Adelaide.”
The multi-fit wheel kit consists of a rim and hub adaptors that have various bolt patterns, so it can be attached to almost all varieties of wheel hubs.
“If we’re able to bring this technology in across our patrol network down the track, it will give peace of mind to all RAA members who don’t have a spare wheel in their vehicle,” Simon says.
Once the car’s ready to roll, the patrol will follow the member to the nearest repairer, where the tyre can be repaired or replaced. The universal spare is then returned to the patrol ready for the next job.